Preventing Avian Flu Outbreaks as Egg Prices Skyrocket
The current avian flu outbreak has affected 58 million poultry in the United States, making it the worst attack in recent history. With over 40 million chickens culled so far, the virus is causing widespread concern among poultry farmers and consumers as egg prices have skyrocketed across the country.
The outbreak first started in January 2022, with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 reported in wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry, and backyard/hobbyist flocks. This marks the first time the HPAI H5 virus has been detected in the U.S. since 2016. While preventing infections in commercial and backyard flocks has remained a priority, the outbreak has proven difficult to control due to the emergence of the virus in wild birds. As these birds migrate across continents and oceans, they can carry the virus with them, leading to international spread.
Poultry can become infected through direct contact with wild birds or more commonly, through exposure to contaminated equipment, water, or feed. The infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces, which can then be transmitted to the rest of the flock. To prevent infected birds from entering the food chain, all birds on the property must be culled once one bird becomes sick. Consequently, avian flu is a severe concern for farmers, as one infection can wipe out an entire flock. Furthermore, in the event of an outbreak, the dead birds must be removed, the farm thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and new birds brought in, a process that can take several months. With millions of chickens being culled across the country, supply shortages have led to a drastic uptick in the price of eggs.
Preventing avian flu outbreaks
Avian influenza is a serious issue for the poultry industry, making it crucial to have tools and resources available to help prevent outbreaks and minimize their impact. The KRAKEN real-time pathogen detection device can provide results in under an hour, saving millions of birds from being culled. With continuous sampling and real-time results, the KRAKEN can immediately alert farmers if water, equipment, or feed have been contaminated so they can be eliminated before healthy birds are exposed to the virus. Since a single infected bird can shut down commercial poultry farms for an extended period of time, the KRAKEN’s rapid-sensing capabilities can prevent huge losses in production and food supply.
While the current avian flu outbreak is causing major financial concerns for farmers and consumers alike, the KRAKEN real-time pathogen detection device may be a solution. With results available in under an hour, farmers can rapidly test water and feed sources to identify the virus, preventing millions of chickens from being culled and reducing the impact of avian flu on the poultry industry, making the KRAKEN a crucial tool in the fight against this destructive disease.
About Kraken Sense
Kraken Sense develops all-in-one pathogen detection solutions to accelerate time to results by replacing lab testing with a single field-deployable device. Our proprietary device, the KRAKEN, has the ability to detect bacteria and viruses down to 1 copy/mL. It has already been applied for epidemiology detection in wastewater and microbial contamination testing in food processing, among many other applications. Our team of highly-skilled Microbiologists and Engineers tailor the system to fit individual project needs. To stay updated with our latest articles and product launches, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, or sign up for our email newsletter. Discover the potential of continuous, autonomous pathogen testing by speaking to our team.